Your developing baby – week 24

by Kaiser Permanente |
Fetus at week 24, illustration

At week 24, your baby is up to 12.5 inches long, weighs about a pound and a half, and is around the size of a large turnip. Between now and childbirth, your baby will gain about 6 ounces each week. 

In addition, your baby’s:

  • Facial features are almost completely formed. They also have hair on their head, as well as eyelashes and eyebrows.
  • Inner ears, which control balance, are fully developed. 

Your baby might even feel when they’re right side-up or upside-down while floating in the amniotic fluid.

Air sacs are now forming in the lungs. The placenta continues to provide oxygen, but once born, your baby will breathe in oxygen with their lungs. Eventually, a substance (surfactant) will form in the lungs to help your baby breathe outside of the womb.

This article has been created by a national group of Kaiser Permanente ob-gyns, certified nurse-midwives, pediatricians, lactation consultants and other specialists who came together to provide you with the best pregnancy, birth, postpartum, and newborn information.

Some of the content is used and adapted with permission of The Permanente Medical Group.

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